Model Train Buffs Buy Home For Rail Adventure

March 17, 1985

Clickety-clack, a lonesome whistle and a train flashes by--these are not images usually associated with basements. Not unless you are Bob and Marcy Perrin.

Bob Perrin is a railroad enthusiast whose goal is creating a scale model of the Carbondale-to-DuQuoin run. The three-dimensional environment of track and terrain will be built in the basement of their new home.

When the size of Perrin`s train collection mandated a move to a new home, they chose the Mayfair at United Development`s Sunset Ridge in northwest suburban Arlington Heights.

``We looked at a lot of communities and Sunset Ridge was by far the best buy in quality and price,`` said Marcy Perrin, adding that the deciding factor was the Mayfair`s optional 1,495-square-foot full basement, which will be transformed into a slice of southern Illinois railway.

The Mayfair offers a partial basement as standard. It is a five-bedroom, two-story home with 3,246 square feet in living area, three full baths, family room with fireplace, den and two-car garage. It is priced from $184,500.

Since both Perrins are computer system analysts (Bob for United Airlines and Marcy for Allstate Insurance) it is not surprising that they computerized the collection inventory. It currently comprises 87 model locomotives, 400 freight cars and 40 passenger cars, which ultimately will move over approximately 1,700 linear feet of 87-to-1-scale HO gauge track.

The Perrins inherited their love of railroads from their fathers, both of whom were employees of the Illinois Central Railroad. Perrin chose the Carbondale-DuQuoin stretch because ``it was the most interesting to me as a child. Trains from Chicago and St. Louis merged at DuQuoin and then cars were switched out at Carbondale to continue either to New Orleans or Florida.``

It took five years to collect maps and aerial photographs necessary to replicate the Carbondale-DuQuoin topography. Perrin estimates it will take a year to create and install the system, including painted backdrops, coved corners and floor terrain, in their new home.

Marcy Perrin has a modest ``rolling stock`` collection of her own, but says she primarily is scenery-painter and chef when other enthusiasts visit. It takes 8 to 12 people to maneuver the trains, walking through aisles and issuing commands with cord or radio controls.

Sunset Ridge offers six two-story, split-level and ranch floor plans with three-, four- and five-bedrooms. The models range in size from 1,920 to 3,246 square feet of living area and in price from $144,900 to $184,500.

The Sunset Ridge model homes are located on Arlington Heights Road three- quarters of a mile north of Ill. Hwy. 68 and one quarter mile south of Lake-Cook Road.